Fabio Capello exit set to be explained by FA chiefs

The Football Association are set to reveal the circumstances behind Fabio Capello’s sudden resignation as England manager, and outline plans to save their shattered Euro 2012 plans at a midday press conference.

The 65-year-old Italian quit as England boss only four months before the start of the summer championships in Poland and the Ukraine, on the same day Harry Redknapp was cleared of tax evasion and made odds-on favourite to take over.

Capello’s resignation was announced after a long meeting involving FA chairman David Bernstein, FA general secretary Alex Horne and the Italian at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

Confirming the news, Bernstein said: ‘We have accepted Fabioâs resignation, agreeing this is the right decision.

‘We would like to thank Fabio for his work with the England team and wish him every success in the future.’

Fabio Capello leaves Wembley following his fateful meeting with the FA (Picture: PA)

He added: ‘I would like to stress that during todayâs meeting and throughout his time as England manager, Fabio has conducted himself in an extremely professional manner.’

The sensational development, following the meeting at Football Association headquarters at Wembley Stadium, leaves the way open for the Spurs manager to be named the new national team boss – either straight away or at the end of the Premier League season.

Early reports suggest Stuart Pearce could take temporary charge of first-team affairs in the interim.

The crucial summit between Capello and the FA was called after the former AC Milan boss questioned his employers’ decision to strip John Terry of the captaincy.

The Chelsea skipper is awaiting trial over allegations of racist abuse towards Anton Ferdinand, but Capello spoke out in an Italian interview to say he would have preferred Terry to keep the armband.

Capello, 65, spent an hour in a meeting with FA bosses on Wednesday before announcing he was going.

He told the Italpress agency: âWhat really hit me and forced me to take this decision was the fact the much-vaunted Anglo-Saxon sense of justice, as they are the first to claim that everyone is innocent until proven guilty.â

There was surprise at his decision among football pundits and fans, although Mark Perryman, from official supportersâ group Englandfans, said: âI think a lot of fans thought he should have gone straight after South Africa.â

Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere said he was ‘gutted’ by the news.

‘Shocked about news on Fabio Capello,’ he wrote on his Twitter page. ‘Gutted to be honest, gave me my 1st cap and believed in me! Thank you Mr Capello.’

Fabio Capello’s backing for John Terry has cost him the England manager’s job (Picture: PA)

A press conference will be held at Wembley at noon on Thursday, when more details will be made public.

‘The FA will not be making any further comment until the media conference,’ the organisation’s statement added.